What Is Verbal Communication (and Why Is It Essential)?

Verbal communication helps you convey information with words in an organized, receivable way. You use these skills whenever you speak, write, or collaborate in a group. 

When you practice verbal communication, you can avoid miscommunication, express your specific needs to others, and deepen your relationships with those around you. Effectively using verbal communication can also set you apart from others when seeking a job or promotion. 

Continue reading to learn more about what verbal communication is and why it's important. Explore the different types of verbal communication and find tips to help improve your communication skills—personally and professionally. 

Verbal communication definition

The American Psychological Association defines communication as “the transmission of information, which may be by verbal (oral or written) or nonverbal means” [1]. In this sense, verbal communication uses words to transmit information between individuals or groups. 

The term verbal communication is sometimes mistaken to mean only oral communication, but it also includes the written word. Examples of verbal communication include emails, text messages, letters, contracts, and this article. 

Why is verbal communication so important?

Humans need verbal communication to express thoughts, feelings, ideas, and experiences. Verbal communication can help you think clearly, organize complex concepts in understandable ways, and better comprehend the people and world around you. It can also help you meet personal and professional needs and aid in defining and evaluating yourself and others.

Verbal communication plays a vital role in how society functions. Humans use language to communicate, convey information, and build relationships with others. Whether virtually—like through phone, email, or video chats—or in-person contact, verbal communication proves valuable in both short and long-distance relationships for purposeful and meaningful interaction. Relationships, job interviews, public speaking, and interacting with others depend on effective verbal communication. 

4 types of verbal communication

Four types of verbal communication include interpersonal, intrapersonal, small group, and public communication. Explore each of the four types of verbal communication in more detail to gain a thorough understanding of why it matters. 

Interpersonal communication

Interpersonal communication involves the exchange of information between two or more people. Whether face-to-face or virtual, this type of communication includes gestures, body language, and words. It involves a sender and receiver of information, with roles swapping back and forth depending on the conversation.

Verbal interpersonal communication can be formal or informal. For example, formal interpersonal communication occurs when a teacher presents a lesson to a group of students, and informal interpersonal communication occurs when three friends discuss movie plans. In addition to in-person interactions, interpersonal communication may include digital interactions like phone conversations, emails, and instant messages.

Intrapersonal communication

Intrapersonal communication involves communicating with yourself, which can be internal, out loud, or written. This form of communication may include self-talk, reading, daydreaming, visualizing, or listening.

You practice intrapersonal communication when you're thinking about what to wear for an interview when you're wondering what you’re going to say next in a conversation, or when you're deciding which movie to watch. It also occurs when you're preparing for an upcoming speech by practicing in a mirror.

Small group communication

Small group communication involves interacting with three or more people formally or informally. The group must remain small enough for the members to make productive connections and for the group to achieve its goal. On the job, you use small group communication when you work in a team to solve a problem or collaborate on a project with the goal of completion or accomplishment. 

Small group communication involves more than friends or coworkers getting together to socialize. Where interpersonal communication focuses on relationship building, small group communication has a specific purpose, such as focusing on a task or goal. 

Public communication

Public communication refers to the act of one person addressing a public gathering. Examples include the US president delivering the State of the Union address, a marketing executive pitching an advertising idea to company heads, and a keynote speaker addressing a graduating class. 

Normally, the goal of public communication involves passing information from one person to a group of people. This means one person sends the information, and the group receives the message. 

How to become a more effective verbal communicator

Effective verbal communication helps you convey your message and aids in exchanging information, whether you’re communicating personally, as a student, or in the workplace. When applying for jobs, employers frequently list communication skills as a requirement. 

The following tips can help you improve your communication skills and interact with others more effectively:

• Choose your words carefully. When writing or speaking, make your words and sentences clear and void of complexity. Keep your points succinct and simple, and avoid using slang or filler words.

• Engage in active listening. Active listening shows a speaker that you’re paying attention. To engage in active listening, eliminate distractions, focus on the speaker, and clarify the information you've received with questions.

• Be yourself. Whether speaking to one person or many, appearing pretentious or arrogant can put a barrier between you and your audience, so try to be honest and humble. 

• Watch your tone. Your audience will respond to your tone of voice. Speaking with a natural tone and pitch will leave a good impression on those you communicate with.

Communication tips for a job interview 

Many employers value good communication, and a job interview is your opportunity to showcase your skills. Speaking clearly and confidently can be advantageous when sitting for an interview. 

You can deepen your verbal communication skills with non-verbal cues, such as:

• Maintaining eye contact

• Using positive facial expressions

• Maintaining a confident posture 

• Not fidgeting

Next steps

Whether you’re applying for a job, attending a college interview, negotiating a business deal, or visiting with a friend, you use verbal communication to convey your message. Knowing more about verbal communication ensures you deliver your message well. 

To improve your communication skills and reach your potential professionally, consider taking an online course. For example, the four-part Effective Communication: Writing, Design, and Presentation Specialization from the University of Colorado, Boulder, on Coursera may enhance your professional speaking abilities. You’ll learn skills that may help you with verbal communication in the workplace, from writing an effective email to online networking. By committing to just three hours a week, you can complete the program in about five months. 

You can boost your communication skills further with Improving Communication Skills, which is part of the Achieving Personal and Professional Success Specialization offered by the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) on Coursera. This beginner-level course takes approximately nine hours to complete, and you'll receive a Professional Certificate of completion when you're finished.